Be the One to Act

Dr. Wayne Dyer is one of our favorite authors. In his book, Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling, he tells about eating at a mall court with his teenagers when a young boy walking by with a tray full of food stumbled. The food went flying all over the floor. The boy's parents came to his aid and the restaurant owner replaced all of the food at no cost. The odd thing was that no one made an effort to clean up the food that became a nuisance and even a hazard.

Finally, Dr. Dyer took it upon himself to clean up the mess and dispose of it. Seeing this, an observer came to the table and told Dr. Dyer's children that they had just been given a great lesson by their father. She told them that their father had demonstrated what it means to be a caring, helpful citizen and human being. She said that his one small act had inspired her.

How often in our lives do we not take the initiative to act when we see a need? What stops us? Maybe we feel that it is not our problem, or that someone else will take care of it? Perhaps we even feel a little foolish. But kindness and taking the initiative to help are never foolish.

There are so many examples of people in our 4Life family who do all the little things that often go unnoticed but are so powerful in our efforts to build people. We want to re-commit ourselves to be the kind of people who see a need and don't hesitate to do whatever we can to help make a difference. We challenge you to do the same.

Dyer, Dr. Wayne W. Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling. Carlsbad, California: Hay House, 2006. 144.

At the Heart of It recipients Nongnut Buwan and David Phillips work together to help kids in need in Thailand.

At the Heart of It recipient Benito Garcia Míguez has a very hands-on approach in his efforts to help children at the CEPAFE orphanage in Africa.